Officers appeal for witnesses and urge residents to be on their guard for potential fraudulent doorstep sellers in Aldershot

We are appealing for witnesses and asking residents to be on their guard for potential fraudulent doorstep sellers following a burglary in Aldershot yesterday.

Between 12pm and 12.30pm on Tuesday 28 November, an unknown man knocked on an address on Romsey Close.

A woman in her 90s answered the door and the man claimed he was a salesperson selling diaries.

The woman agreed to purchase two diaries and the man entered the address. Once inside, he stole her purse, around £30 in cash and a bank card.

The man has been described as being white, in his late 20s or early 30s, with dark hair, average height and of slim/medium build.

He was wearing dark clothing and was holding a carrier bag.

Since this was reported to us, officers have been carrying out various enquiries and want to hear from any potential witnesses.

Were you in the area at the time? Did you witness the incident, any suspicious behaviour or see a man matching the description above?

Do you have any dashcam footage or CCTV images that could assist our investigation?

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting the reference 44230486915.

Alternatively, go online and submit information via https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

Officers would also like to remind residents to be on their guard for fraudulent doorstep sellers, known colloquially as ‘Nottingham Knockers’.

Many legitimate businesses sell products door-to-door and gas, electricity and water companies need to visit to read your meters. Also, charities will often call seeking donations.

However, fraudsters may also knock on your door in an attempt to get you to part with your money, or to get into your home to steal from you.

The sellers are usually young men who go door-to-door selling household products at inflated prices.

They will often claim to be working on behalf of a charity or that they are ex-offenders working as part of a rehabilitation scheme.

They may even show you an ID card before trying to sell to you, but the company is unlikely to be legitimate and the card could be a laminated piece of card with a picture on it.

Usually, they work for an unregistered company and are transported to an area in a group to cold call on addresses. They won’t hold the license needed for this type of sale.

Sometimes the scam is used as a way of scoping out addresses for potential burglaries.

Here is some advice on doorstep callers:

• Always use the door chain when answering the door - if you are not sure, do not open the door
• Anyone selling door to door needs a pedlar’s certificate, which you can ask to see
• Always check the credentials of unknown callers
• Do not keep substantial sums of money in the home
• Always keep your front and back doors locked
• Consider joining or setting up a No Cold Calling Zone or Neighbourhood Watch scheme
• Report any suspicious callers or activity to the police immediately
• Keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends and family